“It was like family.” CIU scholarship recipients meet donors

Anna Wise recently had the opportunity to meet Dee and Janell Garrick of Lexington, South Carolina, two very important people in her life. They provide financial assistance to the CIU senior. Their meeting was at the annual Columbia International University Partner Appreciation Lunch. Wise was one of 60 students who individually took to the microphone and thanked those who are making their education possible.

“It’s wonderful,” Wise said of meeting the Garricks. “It’s just such an answer to prayer that I’m here, and the Lord has provided financially through these people. So, it’s a joy to get to meet them and put a face with a name.”

Wise, who is from Nashville and is majoring in Intercultural Studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), wants to use her degree to be a missionary.

“It was nice to see how the Lord has blessed us and laid it on our hearts to share with others and actually see the reality of that in a real live person who is being used of God,” said Mr. Garrick of meeting the student benefitting from their scholarship gifts to CIU. “It’s exciting to see that.”

Deandre Leith, an international student from Jamaica met with his scholarship donor as well as other donors with whom he shared a table during the lunch.

“It was like family. One felt like my mom, one felt like my aunt,” said Leith who plans to be an evangelist. “At every stage of my life God has always placed someone there who has helped further me to get me to the place God wants me to be. I am happy that God has people to build up others for the furtherance of His kingdom.”

CIU Interim President Dr. Rick Christman told the donors that they help make CIU strong during challenging economic times.

“We are so thankful that you are willing to invest in our students and we’re grateful that you are motivated to invest in CIU.” Christman said.

Learn more about supporting CIU students. Call (803) 807-5500 or visit advancement.ciu.edu.                          

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.